The Broken Gate (Ch. I)

[Wildboy]

Calthoric Wintersbane

Spoiler

Show

Calthroic ran at an unbelievable pace. His heart was pounding in his chest. Nimbly the young male ran through the woods dodging thick overgrowth and branches that seemed to reach out trying to impede his escape. Calthoric's clothes were becoming tattered and worn from his exertions.

The days seemed to pass at an unbelievable rate. The same thing day in and day out. Eating what can be found. Running for your life. Resting when you could not run no more. Repeating the cycle all over again. This was Calthoric's life for the past week. He could no longer hear the sounds of pursuit nor any of the hounds that had picked up his sent for ... for who knows how many times. His pace began to slow as he now trotted more than sprat through the woods. It was not long before the weary man found a well traveled road. Feeling tired yet secure he rested twenty paces to the south of it. No soon did his body slump to the moist earth did his mind drift into deep slumber.

The creaking of carriage wheels and a horses' whinny quickly woke Calthoric from his catatonic state. His hair was matted and a tiny pool of spittle gathered at the corner of his mouth. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes he watched as the carriage slowly drifted down the path. 'An artisan?' he thought to himself. As the covered wagon approached and a better view of the driver could be had he realized that this carriage was not of the working class.

Martel watched the road sluggishly. His mind dull with travel and wondered to more pleasant times. He was use to driving this road as he has done it more then one hundred times. He could do it blindfolded if he had to, yet today, something told him it was different. Nothing physically gave him this notion it was more a feeling. Then quickly a sharp pain formed in his temple. He reached for it origin then brought his hand back down. The blood was bright and the corners of his vision were becoming clouded. Blackness overtook him and he slumped in his seat as the reigns fell from his hand. Feeling the slack in the line the well trained horses followed what was taught. They stopped.

Calthorics eyes opened wide amazed at the accuracy of the thrown stone. He quietly watched as the driver slumped over and the carriage came to a stop. A man dressed in regal gear came out of the carriage his face holding the expressions of puzzlement and concern. Calthoric yelled to the man and he twirled on his heels only to catch a flash of movement out of the corner of his eye. Springing quickly from his hiding spot Calthoric ran to the man pointing in the direction of the movement. The well dressed man turned once again on his heels a dagger pointed in Calthoric's direction.

"My lord...did you see them?" Calthoric said panting. "My shout must have startled them and the ran off. I saw the rock hit your driver."

The lord just looked at the scruffy looking male before him with a look of deep confusion. Glancing his gaze between Calthoric and the movement in the forest. "I...uhh...yes...yes I did." The noble said not quite sure of exactly what he saw. He was not going to let a peasant see something he had not. "Thank you for your assistance in chasing them off."

"But of course milord, though I am sure you would have been able to handle them easily by yourself." Calthoric lied. "If i could beg the lord's pardon, perhaps you will allow me to escort to the nearest township?" Again Calthoric gave him a practiced bow.

The Nobleman stared blankly at Calthoric not quite understanding what he was asking at first. When his senses finally grabbed him he merely nodded and pointed to the driver. "He needs assistance wrap him with a bandage that can be found under the driver's seat and take the reigns. This road leads to a small rest stop. You can accompany me till we reach the Inn then I will see that Martel receives proper treatment." After stating his terms the lord returned to the back of the carriage leaving Calthoric to his stated tasks.

Calthoric wrapped the man as best he could and took the reigns. Clumsily and rather poorly he drove the carriage down the road. A few curses came from the carriage as he drove it over a log instead of directing the beasts of burden around it. Or when he did not see the pot hole that was deeper then it should have been. Finally After a half a day's travel they reached the out of the way inn. A few hours longer then it should have taken.

"Watch the carriage as I secure room and board from the inn and hopefully find a cleric to tend to Martel." The nobleman said as he departed the carriage. Calthoric merely nodded with a smile as he watched him leave.

After a decent amount of time had passed the nobleman returned with a priest dressed in a light blue robe. The cleric quickly attended the driver as the nobleman addressed Calthoric.

"I thank you for your assistance. This is for your troubles. May it lead you to your fortune." Calthoric bowed with a smile as he took the ten gold pieces from the man. Quickly Calthoric stood up and slung his back pack over his shoulder and walked off to the inn. Something in the motion of him putting on the backpack twinged in the nobleman's mind. Something about the back pack did not seem right...did he have a backpack? Then lord shrugged off his doubts. I...uhhhh...yes...yes he did.